On Mission with God

Several years ago, after returning from a mission trip to an indian reservation in Montana I was been reminded of several important truths. These truths reflect experiences from this trip as well as other journeys in which I have shared in the lives of other people. In a world that is quickly becoming absorbed with "what’s in it for me" mentality, these truths remind me of the words of Jesus. He said in Mark 8:3-36, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and loses his own soul?"

1. The thing that matters most in life is relationships. At the end of a mission trip and at the end of life what we remember most is a person’s relationships with others and his or her relationship with God.

2. The best way to receive a blessing is to be a blessing to someone. Be a blessing by reaching out to someone in need, someone who is lonely, someone who needs encouragement. As you do so, you will be the one who is blessed.

3. It is a greater person who will serve another voluntarily rather than always demanding to be served. Jesus said, "Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you , let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28). We are never more like Jesus than when we are serving the needs of another person.

4. Difficulties and challenges are opportunities which bring families and people together. Life is to be lived as a team. We need each other in the good times and especially in the bad. Difficulties can serve to form strong bonds between people as they work together for a solution.

5. Everyone longs to know that someone cares. Regardless of race, age, or gender everyone desires to be loved. Through Jesus Christ we can reach out to others and say, "We care for you" without any strings attached. We can love others because Christ loves us.

6. The greatest need in every person’s life is to be forgiven and made right with God. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). There is no one who is righteous through their own efforts. There is no one who does not need the forgiveness that is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible also says, "In Him (In Jesus Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7).

Today is the day for you to be "On Mission" with God. You don’t have to leave your city or state to reach out to another person in the name of Jesus. Give of yourself without expecting anything in return. Remember, as you reach out to that person, you are reaching out to Jesus. He said, "Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:40).